Our Story
Many years ago, the owner and founder of Chess Prodigy, Lisa Arena developed her chess skills at school. She was inspired to play chess by a school teacher Mr. Gene Clark at St Mary’s College in Hobart. She, together with other students spent many long hours after school and in the school holidays studying chess. Lisa, who was then known as Lisa Stewart, says in relation to her school chess playing days “I recall at the time that I loved playing chess because it was fun and I was maybe, just a little competitive and loved beating the boys. Also, it gave me the confidence, to study law and become a solicitor, which prior to playing chess I never thought I could do, and it definitely helped me to be the best that I could be”. Articles and photos courtesy of the Mercury (Tasmania).
Our Approach
Chess Prodigy is a Sydney based company with a different approach to teaching and coaching chess. For pre-primary and kindergarten school children this includes making childrens’ experience with chess full of stories, colour, music and different textured toys in order to teach children 6 and under how to play and enjoy the game of chess. Primary school children can learn for fun or in stages and can learn "Fun Chess" a chess variation which takes around 10 minutes a game and/or enter inter-school chess competitions. Girls' chess is also available to encourage girls to develop their skills further and eventually compete against anyone at any level.
Meet the Chess Teachers...
Lisa Arena
Manager & Chess Teacher
Lisa used to be a solicitor but now manages and teaches chess at Chess Prodigy
Bailey Arena
Chess Teacher
Bailey has completed his university degree and occasionally works part-time at Chess Prodigy
Daniel Arena
Chess Teacher
Daniel works part-time at Chess Prodigy and is also studying at University
Andrew Arena
Chess Teacher
Andrew works part-time at Chess Prodigy and is also studying at University